The Gun Thing – Page 55 – Splendid Isolation

Gratuitous Gun Pic: Ruger M77 (7x57mm / 7mm Mauser)

March 3, 2022 Kim du Toit Gratuitous Gun Pics

Some time back, an Evil Reader read my constant chatter about the wonderful 7x57mm cartridge, and sent me an email saying that he was making space in his ammo locker for more ammo, and as he didn’t have a rifle chambered for the 7mm Mauser, would I like the few boxes he had on hand?

Well, I didn’t (and don’t) have a rifle thus chambered either, but who turns down free ammo? So a week or so later, there it was.

Which means that ever since then, I’ve been looking at 7mm Mauser rifles, and moaning piteously when I found one because NO MONEY.

This Ruger M77 in particular caused some heavy sighing:

…because it is exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for: but I don’t have a spare grand floating around, and I don’t have any “spare” guns lying around that I want to sell, either.

And here I sit, 7x57mm in Ye Olde Ammoe Locquer and no gun to shoot it with.

Sometimes, I wonder if it’s all worth it. [exit, kicking the cat]

Gratuitous Gun Pic: Mossberg Patriot (.308 Win)

March 2, 2022 Kim du Toit Gratuitous Gun Pics

After yesterday’s custom Mauser 98 at a nosebleed price, here’s something a little more reasonable, and American, chambered for a proper Murkin cartridge (right-click to embiggen):

And the action:

I rather like that spiral-cut bolt, oh yes I do.

I don’t know much about the Patriot line, but given that it’s a Mossberg, it shouldn’t suck too badly.

And the price ($500)… that’s much better. Add a halfway-decent piece of glass on it (e.g. this one), and the rig should be fit for purpose.

Of course, I personally think the plastic “camo” stock sucks green donkey dicks, but I suppose it’s all part of the cost-cutting, and marketing to all the wannabe “operators” out there. [sigh]

Gratuitous Gun Pic: Krieghoff Custom 98 (9.3x62mm Mauser)

March 1, 2022 Kim du Toit Gratuitous Gun Pics

This might just be the nicest thing you see all day (right-click to embiggen):

And a close-up of the action:

About its chambering: I wrote about the 9.3x62mm “Wondernine” back here, and make no mistake, it’s an excellent cartridge.

As for the rifle itself… phew. I know it’s spendy — quality custom rifles always are — but oh man, it’s beautiful.

Oh, NOW The Militia Is A Good Thing

February 24, 2022 Kim du Toit The Gun Thing

…as the Ukraine government belatedly realizes:

The Ukrainian government will give weapons ” to anyone who wants to defend the country”, it has said, in the aftermath of Russia expanding its war in the country’s eastern territory.

Amid reserve forces being mobilised and sent to fight the expanding Russian occupation of Ukraine’s eastern territories, the Kyiv government is taking steps to dramatically increase the supply of available fighters, promising to hand weapons to anyone willing to take up arms in defence of the nation. Joining the resistance is simple too, the government says — all you need is your passport and a willingness to fight.

Says it all, really. And it’s not even “well regulated”:

Yesterday, Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill considerably liberalising ownership of firearms for civilians and making explicitly clear this change in law was in response to the dangers the country faced. As reported, the bill “establishes the basic rights and responsibilities of individuals”, liberalises ownership, but also “increases the responsibility for their illegal use”.

Yeah, it used to be almost impossible for Ukrainian citizens to legally own guns. Funny how that works, innit?

Not Another One

February 23, 2022 Kim du Toit Gun/Ammo Tests, The Gun Thing

Ah, jeez… just when I thought I’d seen everything I wanted to see about old guns (thankee Othias/Mae at C&Rsenal, and Ian McCollum on “Forgotten” Weapons), I came across 9-Hole Reviews…

…and good-bye to the rest of my so-called free time.

My favorite so far: the K98 and the K98 mounted with what Gun Jesus calls “the worst German sniper scope of WWII” (or something like that). Of course, in the hands of a decent (!) rifleman with good eyes, it’s pretty damn good. Note how his accuracy improves over iron sights, with a simple 1.5x scope and a German #4 post reticle.

No need to thank me — or curse me, for that matter — it’s all part of the service.

Bear Medicine

February 22, 2022 Kim du Toit Hunting, The Gun Thing

Thanks to Reader Evan M for sending this verified data about bears and handguns:

I engaged in a search for instances where pistols were used to defend against bears. I and my associates have found 37 instances that are fairly easily confirmed. The earliest happened in 1987, the latest mere months ago. The incidents are heavily weighted toward the present, as the ability to publish and search for these incidents has increased, along with increases in bear and human populations, and the carry of pistols.

The 37 cases include one that can fairly be described as a “failure”.

The pistol calibers, when known, range from 9 mm to .454 Casull. The most common are .44 magnums.

I’ve never been in bear country (I dunno if Wisconsin- and Michigan forests count), but if I were ever to visit Montana or Alaska, for example, there’s no way I’d get out of the car or house without one of these puppies :